Providing appropriate conditions for farm animals is an important part of responsible animal production. Nutrition, water, housing, the environment and handling all play a role in how animals are cared for throughout their lives.

As this subject gains greater visibility, animal welfare is becoming part of the discussion about how food is produced and what consumers expect from the industry.

The consumer is paying attention

Food companies can invest in new products and marketing campaigns, but these efforts also need to consider changes in consumer expectations.

Consumers are increasingly concerned about their health and about the origin of the food they buy. They want to know where the product on their table comes from and under what conditions the animals

 were raised before becoming part of the food supply.

This has made animal care an important consideration for the agricultural industry.

Consumers are also willing to pay more for products made with animal welfare in mind. A product carrying an animal welfare certification can be perceived as being of higher quality than one that provides no information about how the animals were raised.

For the industry, this means that good animal care practices are becoming increasingly important to the way products are produced and presented to consumers.

How did animal welfare become part of animal production?

The discussion about animal welfare began in the 1960s. In 1979, the publication of the Five Freedoms by the Farm Animal Welfare Council gave greater importance to animal welfare in discussions about farm animal production.

From that point forward, issues related to animal care became part of the conversation surrounding agricultural production.

Infrastructure, food, water, transportation and animal nutrition are among the aspects that need to be considered when looking at the conditions in which farm animals are raised.

Why do nutrition and environmental conditions matter?

Environmental management and animal nutrition are important elements of animal welfare.

hese practices also play an important role in preventing problems that can cause significant losses to the agricultural industry, such as salmonella outbreaks. The occurrence of the bacteria is associated with factors including inadequate hygiene and cleaning in environments where poultry and pigs are raised, poor management of waste and other residues, contaminated water, and a lack of control over birds, flies and rodents.

Nutrition is another factor that deserves particular attention.

Proper care of the environment and the food provided to animals is therefore an important part of managing production and protecting animal health.

Why does animal welfare certification matter?

Consumers who want to know whether a product has been produced with animal welfare in mind need reliable information. Certification provides a way to identify products that follow defined animal welfare standards.

The Certified Humane® program works to improve the lives of farm animals from birth through slaughter. Since 2003, Certified Humane® has followed the Humane Farm Animal Care (HFAC) Standards Manual.

The program’s standards establish specific animal welfare requirements and consider the characteristics of each species.

They are reviewed by a Scientific Committee made up of approximately 40 professionals from around the world. The committee studies the specific characteristics of each species to establish appropriate requirements for their care.

For consumers, the certification provides information about the standards followed in the production of a product. For producers and food companies, it offers a way to demonstrate their commitment to animal care through defined requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions About Animal Welfare

What are the Five Freedoms?

The Five Freedoms are principles that became an important reference in discussions about farm animal welfare following their publication by the Farm Animal Welfare Council in 1979.

When did Certified Humane® begin following the HFAC Standards Manual?

Certified Humane® has followed the Humane Farm Animal Care (HFAC) Standards Manual since 2003.

What aspects of production are related to animal welfare?

Infrastructure, food, water, transportation, animal nutrition and environmental management are among the aspects related to animal welfare in farm animal production.

Do the standards consider the specific needs of different species?

Yes. The standards consider the specific characteristics of each species when establishing animal welfare requirements.

Learn more about Certified Humane® animal welfare standards

Animal welfare certification requires producers to follow clear guidelines related to nutrition, water availability, housing conditions, environmental management, and animal handling.

These requirements are part of the Certified Humane® standards and help ensure that pigs are raised according to practices designed to support their health, comfort, and overall well-being. In this article, we present 9 key practices required to support pig welfare in certified production systems.

1. Nutrition: healthy and adequate feed

Pigs must receive a balanced diet that provides the nutrients required for their development and different stages of production.

The nutritional needs of piglets, breeding sows, and growing pigs vary, and feed management must consider each animal’s age, weight, and physiological condition.

Beyond providing adequate feed, producers must ensure that food is accessible to all animals. Competition for feed should be minimized, as it can lead to aggression, fights, and injuries. Sows must also be protected from aggression by dominant animals within the group.

Feed may be provided through troughs that allow all pigs to eat at the same time. A space equivalent to 1.1 times the width of the animal’s shoulders is considered sufficient. Producers must ensure that feeders remain clean and functional. Certified Humane® standards require these systems to be checked twice daily.

Feed may also be provided directly on the floor, as long as the area is clean and free from contaminants.

2. Water: clean, fresh, and readily available

Pigs must have daily access to clean and fresh drinking water.

Drinkers must be properly positioned and adjusted to ensure that all animals can drink comfortably. Regular maintenance of water systems is essential to guarantee proper flow and availability.

Lactating sows require continuous access to clean water. Producers must also maintain emergency water supplies to ensure availability for at least 24 hours in case of unexpected issues, such as drought or contamination of the water source.

3. Facilities: safe environments that prevent injuries

Housing facilities must be designed to protect pigs from injuries.

Pens should not contain sharp edges, protrusions, or other structures that could harm animals. Electrical systems must be properly insulated, secured, protected from rodents, and regularly inspected.

The materials used on interior surfaces must be easy to clean and disinfect, helping reduce disease risks and maintain suitable conditions for animal well-being.

4. Environment: neither too cold nor too hot

Environmental conditions must protect pigs from extreme temperatures.

Acceptable temperature ranges vary according to animal weight and production stage. For pigs weighing more than 70 kg, for example, temperatures should remain between 10°C and 25°C.

During warmer periods, producers should adopt measures to prevent heat stress, such as providing cooling areas, mud wallows, natural or artificial shade, fans, sprinklers, drip systems, and misting systems.

5. Air quality: clean and properly ventilated

Proper ventilation is essential to maintain air quality and prevent excessive humidity, as pigs are susceptible to respiratory diseases.

Certified Humane® standards establish limits for ammonia concentration. Levels must remain below 10 ppm and should never exceed 25 ppm. Monitoring and recording of ammonia levels must be carried out regularly, at least once every two weeks.

6. Space: enough room to move freely

Providing enough space is essential for pig welfare, allowing animals to move, rest, and express natural behaviors.

The available space must be at least 1.5 times the area occupied by the animal when lying down. Specific requirements apply to growing pigs and breeding sows.

Confinement and restraint are restricted and may only be used in specific situations, such as veterinary procedures, routine examinations, or facility cleaning.

Producers should also minimize regrouping whenever possible, as changes in social groups can increase stress and aggression.

Environmental enrichment is an important part of pig welfare. Materials such as straw, wood shavings, or sawdust allow pigs to explore, root, and chew, supporting their natural behaviors.

7. Resting area: dry and comfortable

Pigs must have access to resting areas that are dry, comfortable, and large enough for all animals to lie down.

In indoor production systems, resting areas must have suitable flooring and drainage to prevent excessive moisture.

Outdoor systems require additional measures, including access to sheltered areas that protect animals from extreme weather conditions.

8. Farrowing: comfort for sows and piglets

Farrowing is one of the most important stages in pig production, as it involves both the welfare of the sow and the protection of newborn piglets.

Farrowing crates, which restrict the sow’s movement and limit interaction with piglets, are not permitted under Certified Humane® standards.

Sows must be housed in systems that allow greater freedom of movement and provide access to appropriate materials, such as straw, that support natural behaviors.

Before farrowing, sows must be provided with clean and comfortable conditions. They must remain in the farrowing area for at least 28 days after piglet birth, and farrowing pens must meet minimum space requirements of 1.8 m x 2.4 m.

9. Handling: calm and respectful management

Good pig welfare practices require animals to be handled calmly and carefully.

All employees involved in animal handling must receive appropriate training to understand pig behavior and reduce fear and stress during human interaction.

The goal is to ensure that pigs become accustomed to human contact and experience less stress when interacting with farm workers.

During preparation for transport, pigs must have access to water. A fasting period may be recommended to reduce discomfort during transportation, lasting at least four hours and no more than 18 hours before slaughter.

These practices represent only a summary of the broader Certified Humane® standards for pig production. Explore the complete standards and learn more about the practices that support better animal welfare in pig farming.